METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING PORTIONS OF A VIDEO STREAM BASED ON CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VIDEO STREAM - The various embodiments described herein generally provide for the identification of locations in a presentation stream based on metadata associated with the presentation stream. Locations within an audio/video stream are identified by processing associated text data using autonomous location information referencing the text data. The identified locations within a presentation stream may be utilized to identify boundaries of segments within the presentation stream, such as segments of a show and interstitials of the show. Processing is then performed to determine whether the identified boundaries possess specific characteristics. If the identified boundaries do not possess the identified characteristics, then additional processing is performed to identify other locations, temporally near the identified boundaries, which correspond with boundaries of the portion of the audio/video stream identified by the autonomous location information.

2010-08-05

20100195973

Video data reproduction apparatus, method for operating same and non-transitory recording medium - A video disk player includes (i) a disk reading section for reading out video data, a program, synchronization timing information from an optical disk; (ii) a clock for generating a clock signal; (iii) a decoder for converting, in accordance with the clock signal, the video data into decompressed video data for reproduction output; (iv) a video reproducing section including a synchronization control section for transmitting, in accordance with the clock signal, a synchronization control signal to the program executing section at a timing specified by a field timing contained in the synchronization timing information, and (v) a program executing section for executing a program in accordance with the synchronization control signal received from the synchronization control section. This makes it possible to efficiently execute the program in synchronization with reproduction of AV data or the like.

2010-08-05

20100195974

SERVER-SIDE SUPPORT FOR SEAMLESS REWIND AND PLAYBACK OF VIDEO STREAMING - A system and method provide server side support for seamless, scalable rewind and playback of a video stream. A video stream is stored and indexed in a network storage place. A video stream can be indexed at frame level where each intra frame of the video stream has an index indicating the file offset and the time stamp of the intra frame in the video stream. A user request for rewinding of a video stream while the video stream is being broadcast is processed by extracting the rewinding time requirement from the user request. The extracted rewinding time value is used to calculate the requested file offset. The video stream starting at the requested time is retrieved and played back according to the user request. The system also provides server side support for seamless rewinding of a video stream and scalable system performance across multiple streaming data centers.

2010-08-05

20100195975

System and method for semantic trick play - A semantic based trick play method and system in a media player is provided in which a semantic trick play command is received from a user while the user is experiencing a current content of a media item. Metadata is detected with respect to a current playback position of the media item, and at least one further playback position is determined in the current content of the media item or a related content in another media item. The further playback position is semantically related to the metadata of the current playback position. Playback is then moved to the at least one further playback position, so that the user experiences a media content of the at least one further playback position.

2010-08-05

20100195976

VIDEO PLAYBACK - The present invention provides a video playback apparatus, and more particularly, an apparatus, a method and a playback program for promptly and accurately playing back a video image. The apparatus comprises a means for receiving a video playback request from a predetermined video playback position; and a means for playing back the video forwardly or backwardly from a position separated from the predetermined video playback position by a predetermined time up to the predetermined video playback position at a predetermined speed upon receiving the request for playing back the video.

2010-08-05

20100195977

Constructing Video Frames And Synchronizing Audio Data In A Media Player From Data Received Via A Plurality Of Diverse Protocol Stack Paths - Video frames from a sequence of video frames and corresponding audio are received and processed by a media player. A first portion of the sequence depends on fewer reference frames then a second portion of the sequence. The number of reference frames per frame is limited. The first and second portions of the sequence are treated differently. The first portion is received at a lower data rate, with greater security and processed with a more robust protocol stack than the second portion. The first and second portions may be stored in a single queue and/or separate queues. The first portion of frame data is utilized to compensate for lost frames by repeating and/or interpolating video frames. The media player constructs a local video frame and synchronizes corresponding audio content with it. The received, repeated and/or interpolated video frames are assembled into display order and decoded.

2010-08-05

20100195978

System to facilitate replay of multiple recordings of a live event - A system is disclosed for the replay of multiple simultaneously recorded recordings of live events. Flags are used to map the time of occurrence of incidents observed on one video recording onto second simultaneously obtained recording where they can be observed. The proper phasing of mapped incidents and incidents that are explicitly visible on the second recording is maintained.

2010-08-05

20100195979

CONTROLLER, RECORDING DEVICE AND MENU DISPLAY METHOD - A recording device includes a recording medium operable to store a plurality of program streams and information about recording of each program stream, and a controller operable to control display of the program stream recorded on the recording medium on a display device. When receiving an instruction for selecting a predetermined item from among the plurality of selection items, the controller causes the menu image to be displayed, making the menu image include information representing programs corresponding to at least a part of the plurality of the program streams recorded on the recording medium, in addition to the plurality of selection items.

2010-08-05

20100195980

INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM, REPRODUCING APPARATUS, AND REPRODUCING METHOD - A reproducing medium and apparatus to help guarantee reproduction compatibility are provided. An information storage medium to be reproduced by the reproducing apparatus includes audio/video (AV) data, an interactive content used to perform interactions with users, and interactive content management information used to manage the interactive content, wherein the interactive content management information includes information regarding an application to be executed by the reproducing apparatus and information regarding a substitution application substituted for the application.

2010-08-05

20100195981

Recording Apparatus - The invention provides an effective means that realizes a long-hour recording and multi-channel simultaneous recording of TV broadcast programs without sacrificing the picture quality in reproduction. The invention also enhances user-friendliness in recording multiple channels. The invention provides a transcoder for the digital broadcast, utilizes program information during recording, and adaptively controls the recording bit rate in correspondence with the maximum transfer rate of a record medium.

2010-08-05

20100195982

RECORDING MEDIUM, REPRODUCTION APPARATUS,RECORDING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND REPRODUCTION METHOD - On a BD-ROM, there is recorded is a digital stream into which video and audio streams are multiplexed. The video stream is composed of a plurality of pictures that together represent video. The graphics stream includes a PES packet storing state control information (ICS) and PES packets containing graphics data (ODSs). The graphics data constructs an interactive display. The state control information defines the control so as to change the states of buttons presented on the interactive display according to the reproduction proceeding and user operations.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIGNAL PROCESSING - A system and method for processing image signals, including a signal dividing unit for dividing input image signals per frame into a first plurality of sub-blocks with a second plurality of the sub-blocks being included in the horizontal direction and each of the sub-blocks having the height equal to that of at least one macro-block, a recording unit for recording thus divided input image signals, a third plurality of encoding units each for encoding the divided and recorded input image signals in units of sub-block to be outputted as an encoded stream with the number of the encoding units equal to that of the sub-blocks in the horizontal direction, a further recording unit for recording the encoded stream in units of sub-block, and a stream conversion unit for outputting a video stream after rearranging the order of the encoded and recorded stream.

2010-08-05

20100195987

CAMERA SYSTEM AND POWER SUPPLY FOR OPTICAL RECORDING DEVICES - A camera system includes a video camera having a first mating mechanism defined on a bottom, planar surface of the video camera. A battery assembly contains an energy cell and a first surface of the battery assembly is releasably engageable with the mounting mechanism such that the battery assembly is suspended beneath the video camera, with the bottom, planar surface of the video camera in substantial contact with the first surface. A support apparatus having a second mating mechanism is also provided, the second mating mechanism releasably engaging a second surface of the battery assembly.

2010-08-05

20100195988

Method and Configuration for Storing and Playing Back TV Programs - A method and configuration allows storing and playing back TV programs, in particular an improved method and configuration for operating a network PVR. The novel configuration for storing and playing back TV programs includes a PVR server capable of receiving several digitally encoded TV channels, of feeding several terminals, and of recording storable TV programs. The terminals are provided with means for selecting storable TV programs and means for transmitting the choice to the PVR server. The inventive configuration also comprises means for detecting particular contents (for example, advertising) associated with received TV programs and means for identifying said contents in the recordings of said TV programs. Said identifications can be used for preventing said particular content jump during playing back the TV programs recorded on the terminal and for substituting the particular contents by updated particular contents.

2010-08-05

20100195989

IMAGE REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND IMAGE REPRODUCING METHOD - An image reproducing apparatus includes: a memory which stores a plurality of motion picture files; an image reproducing controller which performs an analyzing operation to analyze the motion picture file; a first buffer which stores a result of analysis about the motion picture file, wherein the controller performs a reading operation to read out image data from the motion picture file stored in the memory; and a second buffer which stores the image data, wherein the controller reproduces the image data stored in the second buffer, based on the result of analysis stored in the first buffer. During the reproduction of the image data, the analyzing operation starts to analyze the motion picture file and the reading operation starts to read out the image data.

2010-08-05

20100195990

APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSOCIATING ONE OR MORE FILTER FILES WITH A PARTICULAR MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION - A method, apparatus, computer program product and computer accessible code configured to link or otherwise associate content filters with a multimedia presentation, e.g., a movie. The content filter data includes an identifier value with an aspect ratio identifier or as a function of an aspect ratio for a particular multimedia presentation associated with the filter information. In one implementation, association between a filter set and a multimedia presentation involves a filtering application that searches a particular multimedia presentation to locate aspect ratio information and further searches filter information for a matching aspect ratio identifier.

2010-08-05

20100195991

APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR A HYBRID TANKLESS WATER HEATER - An on demand tankless water heater system that is capable of quickly delivering water within a desired temperature range. The tankless water heater provides a hybrid heating method that contains a primary heating system and a secondary heating system disposed in a buffer tank that cooperate to facilitate control of output water temperature during water usage. A pressure differential switch detects low flow demand and allows the secondary heating system to provide immediate heating to the water. This secondary heating system provides a faster temperature response and fine tuning of output water temperature.

2010-08-05

20100195992

Walking beam type heat treatment apparatus - A walking beam type heat treatment apparatus including a heating furnace having a heating body to heat a substrate by radiation, a pair of first beams that are rod-like and provided in the heating furnace and a second beam disposed between the pair of the first beams, one of the pair of the first beams and the second beam relatively moving alternately in longitudinal and vertical directions repeatedly to the other of the pair of the first beams and the second beam, to cause to deliver and receive the substrate between the pair of the first beams and the second beam, and accordingly, to convey the substrate through the heating furnace, includes a side edge support protrusion that protrudes from each of the pair of the first beams such that the side edge support protrusion can horizontally support the substrate in abutting contact with a side edge of the substrate; and a front edge support protrusion and a rear edge support protrusion that protrude from the second beam such that the front edge support protrusion and the rear edge support protrusion can horizontally support the substrate in abutting contact with a front edge and a rear edge of the substrate.

2010-08-05

20100195993

O-ring Seals for Spa Heater Element - A spa heater includes a heater element having a single outer wall with indentations near each end for receiving clips for positioning the heater element. The indentations are preferably stamped or formed by some other method which does not weaken the outer wall and the heater element is retained by use of the clips in the indentations. Incorporation of the indentations and the clips allows use of a single thin outer wall thereby reducing cost. The heater element is held and sealed by a combination of O-rings, stepped washers, snap rings clips, and caps. An electrical connection may be made using ring type wire ends residing under the caps or by connecting to posts extending from the ends of the heater element. The heater element is preferably a spiral heater element and a titanium outer wall may be used to resist corrosion and increases heater element life.

2010-08-05

20100195994

IMAGE TAKING APPARATUS - According to an aspect of the present invention, once the mode setting device sets the person photographing mode, and the face zooming instruction device instructs zooming to the face of the person, the detection device detects the size of the face of the person captured by the image pickup device. The zooming device is then controlled so as to capture the face of the person in a certain size based on the detection result. Subsequently, the photographer instructs zooming in the telephoto direction or the wide direction using the zooming instruction device as necessary to thereby allow fine adjustment of the composition. This enables to easily and quickly photograph an image in a user's desired composition.

2010-08-05

20100195995

ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - Provided is a zoom lens system including a compact focusing lens unit and having a suppressed change in image magnification at the time of movement of the focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, includes a first lens unit G

IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - A camera apparatus and a camera system of the present invention are configured so that a lens unit is attachable/detachable. The lens unit contains at least a lens and an iris, and contains a memory storing setting information required for operating the lens and the iris. When a camera microcomputer checks detection information stored in a memory in a sub-microcomputer at a time of start-up of the camera apparatus, and first detection information is stored in the memory, the setting information is acquired from the lens unit. When second detection information is stored in the memory, the setting information is acquired from another memory in the camera apparatus. Due to this configuration, the time for shifting the switch-on to a photographable state is shortened, and the ease of convenience can be enhanced.

2010-08-05

20100195998

Imaging device and focal point detector - A focal point detector includes: a condenser lens for transmitting a light image from an optical system; and a distance measurement sensor group for receiving a luminous flux which has passed through the condenser lens. The sensor group includes a first distance measurement sensor pair for receiving divided beams of the luminous flux for a first focus detection region which is located off the center of a shooting region. The first distance measurement sensor pair includes first and second distance measurement sensors. The first focus detection region extends in a first direction in the shooting region from a position where the first focus detection region is spaced from the center in the first direction and also in a second direction. The first and second distance measurement sensors are spaced from each other and arranged at different angles in the direction associated with the first direction on the sensor arrangement surface.

DOOR MIRROR - A door mirror which includes a camera for checking the side of a vehicle which is in a blind spot of a driver, has a door mirror body having a through hole formed for lens side part of the camera to be inserted therein, and a camera cover having an opening part for exposing the lens part formed, and the camera cover has the first abutting surface which abuts on the outer surface of the door mirror body with elasticity.

2010-08-05

20100196001

Actuator mechanism and a shutter mechanism - In one example, an actuator mechanism comprising: one or more coils for establishing a magnetic field; a rotating permanent magnet, which has at least one extreme position depending on the magnetic field; and driving members, which are coupled to the permanent magnet and by means of which the members coupled to the actuator mechanism are driven. In another example, an actuator mechanism comprising: one or more wires, which are manufactured of a shape memory alloy that shrinks when heated; and driving members, which are coupled to said wire and by means of which the members connected to the actuator mechanism are driven.

2010-08-05

20100196002

ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - Provided is a zoom lens system including a compact focusing lens unit and having a suppressed change in image magnification at the time of movement of the focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system of the present invention includes, in order from object side to image side, a first lens unit G

2010-08-05

20100196003

ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - Provided is a zoom lens system including a compact focusing lens unit and having a suppressed change in image magnification at the time of movement of the focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system of the present invention includes an aperture diaphragm A, a first lens unit G

2010-08-05

20100196004

TOPOLOGICALLY MULTIPLEXED OPTICAL DATA COMMUNICATION - Systems and methods for encoding information in the topology of superpositions of helical modes of light, and retrieving information from each of the superposed modes individually or in parallel. These methods can be applied to beams of light that already carry information through other channels, such as amplitude modulation or wavelength dispersive multiplexing, enabling such beams to be multiplexed and subsequently demultiplexed. The systems and methods of the present invention increase the number of data channels carried by a factor of the number of superposed helical modes.

2010-08-05

20100196005

Optical Multiport Spectral Phase Encoder - Data security of a multi-dimensional code system is increased. An optical device is provided with a single input port; a splitter splitting an input light from the input port into a plurality of lights; a plurality of phase shifters each shifting one of the lights split by the splitter; a multi-port encoder/decoder inputting the lights whose phases are shifted by the phase shifters and generating spectral encoded codes; and a plurality of output ports outputting the spectral encoded codes generated by the multi-port encoder/decoder.

2010-08-05

20100196006

METHOD, SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR OPTICAL NETWORK TERMINATION CONFIGURATION - A method for optical network termination (ONT) configuration is provided. The method includes: obtaining, by an optical line terminal (OLT), service types supported by an ONT and management methods available for each of the service types; and negotiating, by the OLT, with the ONT according to the management methods available for each of the service types, so as to determine a management method to be adopted for each of the service types, and configuring the ONT according to the determined management method.

2010-08-05

20100196007

OPTICAL RING NETWORK ARCHITECTURE - An optical ring network architecture including a number (N) of multi-add/drop filters, such as filters formed using symmetrical pairs of frequency routers. Each multi-add/drop filter is coupled to two other multi-add/drop filters. using N−2 transmission media, such as optical fibers, to form a ring. The network also includes a number (N) of terminal stations associated with the multi-add/drop filters. A terminal station (p) is coupled with, and receives information from, its associated multi-add/drop filter (p) through a single optical fiber. In addition, the terminal station p is coupled with, and transmits information in a first direction around the ring to, a multi-add/drop filter p+1 through a single optical fiber. Communications from terminal station p to each other terminal station in the first direction are assigned one of N−1 wavelengths such that no two wavelengths on a given optical fiber are associated with communications between terminal stations in the same direction. Moreover, all wavelengths on a given optical fiber may be associated with a communication between terminal stations in either the first or second direction. As a result, each terminal station can communicate with each other terminal station simultaneously using wavelength division multiplexing and N−1 wavelengths. The network may also be bi-directional such that each terminal station p is coupled with, and transmits information in a second direction opposite the first direction to, a multi-add/drop filter p−1 through a single optical fiber.

2010-08-05

20100196008

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING FIRST AND SECOND TRANSMITTED OPTICAL WAVES FROM A POLARIZATION MULTIPLEXED OPTICAL WAVE - First and second transmitted optical waves having orthogonal polarization states are combined in a polarization multiplexed optical wave. At an optical receiver, an electrical field of the polarization multiplexed optical wave is measured. A plurality of polarization states of the polarization multiplexed optical wave is determined from the measured electrical field. From the plurality of polarization states, a transform that aligns the orthogonal polarization states of the first and second transmitted optical waves with respect to principal axes of the optical receiver is estimated. The first and second transmitted optical waves are recovered by applying the transform to one of i) the polarization multiplexed optical wave and ii) the measured electrical field of the polarization multiplexed optical wave.

2010-08-05

20100196009

POLARIZATION INDEPENDENT FREQUENCY DOMAIN EQUALIZATION (FDE) FOR CHROMATIC DISPERSION (CD) COMPENSATION IN POLMUX COHERENT SYSTEMS - A method for the polarization independent frequency domain equalization (FDE) chromatic dispersion compensation on polarization multiplexing (POLMUX) coherent systems. Operationally, time domain signals are converted to frequency domain signals such that time domain convolution can be done as simple multiplications in the frequency domain. These frequency domain signals then converted back to time domain for subsequent use. The input signal size and FFT size are advantageously designed so that the output signals can be continuous with some overlap between two successive frames.

2010-08-05

20100196010

OPTICAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM - An optical transmission system is provided. The optical transmission system includes a user side optical repeater device, a central office side optical repeater device, and wavelength multiplexing and wavelength de-multiplexing functions. The user side optical repeater device is to be connected with a user side optical network unit, transmits data in two ways, and is used for wavelength division multiplexing. The central office side optical repeater device is to be connected with a central office side optical line terminal, transmits data in two ways, and is used for wavelength division multiplexing. The wavelength multiplexing and wavelength de-multiplexing functions are used for relaying between the user side optical repeater device and the central office side optical repeater device.

2010-08-05

20100196011

Wavelength Division and Time Division Multiplex Mixing Passive Optical Network System, Terminal and Signal Transmission Method - A wavelength division and time division hybrid multiplexing passive optical network system, terminals and a signal transmission method are disclosed in the present invention. The system comprises: a plurality of optical modules at the optical line terminal side connecting to an office all-optical wavelength conversion unit, the all-optical wavelength conversion unit connecting with a subscriber all-optical wavelength conversion unit via a fiber, and the subscriber all-optical wavelength conversion unit connecting with a plurality of optical couplers, and each optical couplers connecting with a plurality of optical network units respectively; the present invention facilitates full use of the existing source of access network and ensures a smooth transition from the time division multiplexing passive optical network to the optical access network of the next generation without changing the structure of the current time division passive optical network.

2010-08-05

20100196012

NETWORK SYSTEM - Provided is a network system for controlling devices which operate in response to an infrared signal. The network system includes modules and a home server. The modules output the infrared signal for controlling the devices in response to command data or analyze path information of the command data, forward the command data to next one of the modules, and receive infrared control signals generated by the devices. The home server includes ID numbers of the modules and the path information of the command data for allowing the command data to reach each of the modules and outputs the command data or receives the infrared control signals. Therefore, the network conveniently control the devices using the infrared control signal even when the modules are too distant from the home server for the infrared signal to reach the devices at a time or obstacles are placed in front of the modules. Also, the network system performs authentication processes among the modules using time information to prevent the modules from malfunctioning by another infrared signal or command data.

2010-08-05

20100196013

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A PHOTONIC SYSTEM - A photonic system and method are provided. The system includes an optical source configured to generate a carrier signal; and a modulator configured to modulate the carrier signal with a radio frequency, (“RF”) input signal to generate a modulated signal. The system also includes an optical filter configured to filter the modulated signal to generate a vestigial sideband modulated signal; and an optical detector configured to demodulate the vestigial sideband signal to generate an RF output signal. The system further includes a wavelength controller module configured to set an operating parameter of the optical source.

2010-08-05

20100196014

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR HITLESS TUNABLE OPTICAL FILTERING - The method for filtering an optical signal comprising a plurality of channels lying on a grid of optical frequencies equally spaced by a frequency spacing and occupying an optical bandwidth, comprises: a) operating an optical filter comprising a plurality of resonators, wherein a first resonator of the plurality is optically coupled to the optical signal and the remaining resonators are optically coupled in series to the first resonator, so that a respective resonance of each one of the plurality of resonators falls within a first frequency band having bandwidth less than or equal to 15 GHz; b) operating the optical filter so as to obtain a separation between said respective resonance of at least one resonator with respect to said respective resonance of at least another different resonator, the separation being greater than or equal to 25 GHz; c) operating the optical filter so that said respective resonance of each one of the plurality of resonators falls within a second frequency band, different from the first frequency band, having bandwidth less than or equal to 15 GHz, wherein during the procedure from step a) to step c), at least one among said respective resonance of the at least one resonator and said respective resonance of the at least another different resonator is moved also outside a frequency region spanning between, and including, the first and the second frequency band. A corresponding device for filtering an optical signal is disclosed.

2010-08-05

20100196015

TECHNIQUE FOR SECURING TRANSMISSION OF DATA ALONG AN OPTICAL COMMUNICATION LINE - A technique for securing data transmission via an optical communication line comprising an optical fiber extending between a first network element and a second network element; the technique comprises conveying a first optical signal carrying data via the optical fiber from the first network element towards the second network element at a predetermined optical wavelength, and conveying a second optical signal at the same predetermined optical wavelength via the same fiber in the opposite direction to create within the optical fiber a combined optical signal such that combination of the first and second optical signals is adapted to hamper an unauthorized non-intrusive extraction of the first optical signal from the combined optical signal.

2010-08-05

20100196016

Polarization Multiplexing with Different DPSK Modulation Schemes and System Incorporating the Same - Polarization multiplexing with different differential phase shift keying (DPSK) schemes generally uses DPSK modulated signals modulated using different DPSK modulation schemes and combined with orthogonal polarizations relative to each other. The different DPSK modulation schemes may use different DPSK phase shifts to represent data, such as a regular DPSK modulation scheme and a π/2 DPSK modulation scheme. By using different DPSK modulation schemes to represent data on the orthogonally polarized signals, the DPSK demodulators may effectively separate the orthogonally polarized signals using the property of the DPSK receivers. To optimize performance, the DPSK modulated signals may also be bit-interleaved when combined with orthogonal polarization.

2010-08-05

20100196017

DISTORTION COMPENSATING APPARATUS, OPTICAL RECEIVING APPARATUS, AND OPTICAL TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING SYSTEM - A distortion compensating apparatus which compensates for distortion in a waveform of a received light signal through a digital signal processing includes a plurality of fixed amount compensators which compensate for the distortion in the waveform at respective given compensating amounts. The combination of operating states of the plurality of fixed amount compensators is changed by on/off switching of each of the plurality of fixed amount compensators, and the plurality of fixed amount compensators are cascaded.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, CARTRIDGE, AND APPARATUS MAIN UNIT - A magnet is arranged on an RFID tag to be attached to a cartridge. A Hall element is arranged on a printer-side RFID board in a position corresponding to the magnet. When the cartridge is mounted, a printer-side RFID communication section identifies whether or not the mounted cartridge is a certified product according to classification information stored on the RFID tag and a presence/absence of a detection signal from the Hall element.

2010-08-05

20100196020

PRINTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HANDLING UNFIXED PAGES IN SUCH A PRINTING SYSTEM - A recording medium is moved to a transfer printing station and print images are transfer-printed. The recording medium is transported to a fixing station. A print stop is initiated whereby the recording medium is halted, a further transfer printing is prevented, and a fixing is deactivated. It is checked whether a transfer-printed but unfixed page is still located in the printing apparatus. If so, a warning notification is automatically generated. A query is made as to whether an operating command has been input. If so, it is checked whether the unfixed page would also be output unfixed. If no, the operating command is executed. If yes, the print stop is automatically maintained. It is also inspected as to whether the unfixed page would be output upon execution of an additional operating command. If no, the additional operating command is executed. If yes, an error message is automatically generated.

2010-08-05

20100196021

POWDER CONTAINER APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container apparatus for containing a powder material removed from a cleaned body using a cleaning unit includes a casing having an opening at the top; a collecting bag made of a soft and freely deformable material detachably disposed within the casing, the collecting bag being configured to contain the powder material that is dropped via the opening of the casing; a displaced member disposed between the collecting bag and the casing and configured to be horizontally displaced by the collecting bag when the collecting bag is inflated by the powder material contained in the collecting bag; a displacement amount detecting unit configured to detect the displacement of the displaced member; and a collected amount detecting unit configured to determine a collected amount of the powder material in the collecting bag based on the horizontal displacement of the displaced member detected by the displacement amount detecting unit.

2010-08-05

20100196022

IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In the case where a sheet on which a transparent toner image is to be formed has low glossiness, when the transparent toner image is formed in a area in which a user wishes to partly lower the glossiness, the glossiness in the area in which the user wishes to lower the glossiness is increased. For that reason, a print as desired by the user cannot be obtained by fixing the transparent toner image in an area corresponding to the area in which the user wishes to lower the glossiness.

2010-08-05

20100196023

CONTROL APPARATUS, PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - A control apparatus configured to control an image forming system, in forming a transparent image so as to cover color images fixed on a sheet, applies a transparent toner on an area on which an image can be formed and which is other than an area that a user desires to increase the glossiness thereof.

2010-08-05

20100196024

CONTROL APPARATUS, PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - A control apparatus configured to control an image forming system, in forming a transparent toner on a sheet having color toners formed and fixed thereon, applies a transparent toner on an area on which an image can be formed and which is other than an area that a user desires to reduce the glossiness thereof.

2010-08-05

20100196025

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM FOR PERFORMING IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus including a receiving part for receiving an image forming request, a conveyor belt for rotating and conveying a recording paper, a charging part for applying charges to the conveyor belt, and an image forming part for forming an image on the recording paper is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a cleaning part configured to clean a surface of the conveyor belt by rotating the conveyor belt and setting a contacting member in contact with the surface of the conveyor belt when a bias voltage of the charges is reduced. The cleaning part is configured to clean the surface of conveyor belt when a printing process and a post-printing process are completed by the image forming part and no subsequent image forming request is received by the receiving part.

2010-08-05

20100196026

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; toner image forming means for forming a toner image on the image bearing member; a transfer member for transferring the toner image from the image bearing member onto a recording material; an executing portion for executing a first cleaning mode in which the transfer member is cleaned by being supplied with a voltage of an identical polarity to a normal charge polarity of toner during non-image formation and executing a second cleaning mode in which the transfer member is cleaned by being supplied with a voltage of an opposite polarity to the normal charge polarity of the toner during the non-image formation; and a control portion for changing a ratio between a first cleaning mode execution period and a second cleaning mode execution period depending on an operation environment of the image forming apparatus.

2010-08-05

20100196027

TANDEM PRINTING SYSTEM WITH SCHEDULER FOR PROCESSING PRINT JOBS - According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a printing system that includes first and second marking devices for applying images to print media. A first fusing module associated with the first marking device for applying a primary fusing treatment to the images applied to print media by the first marking device. A second fusing module which receives printed media from the first and second marking devices, the secondary fusing module including a fusing device that applies a fusing treatment to the images applied to the printed media. A printing controller having a scheduler for processing print jobs in the first and second marking devices based on fusing requirements of the print media.

2010-08-05

20100196028

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus which attains a high quality image by suppressing fluctuation in speed of an intermediate transfer belt generated when a leading edge of a recording material having high rigidity such as a thick sheet is brought into contact with the belt in a single color mode. The single color mode is switched between a first single color mode in which a toner image on one photosensitive drum is primarily transferred onto the belt with only the one drum being in contact with the belt, and the toner image on the belt is secondarily transferred onto the recording material, and a second single color mode in which a toner image born on one of drums is primarily transferred onto the belt with the drums being in contact with the belt, and the toner image on the belt is secondarily transferred onto the recording material.

2010-08-05

20100196029

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an LED array with a plurality of light emitting elements aligned in a main-scanning direction and a convergent lens array for imaging light emitted from the light emitting elements on a photosensitive member. In order to correct density unevenness caused by positioning errors of the lens array, the light quantity emitted from each of the light emitting elements is adjusted such that the total difference from a target value will be closer to zero.

2010-08-05

20100196030

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes first and second developer carrying members and a control device. The apparatus is operable in a first mode where an image of a single color is formed using the first developer carrying member and is operable in a second mode, wherein an image of a plurality of colors is formed using the first and second developer carrying members. The control device controls a first discharging operation for discharging developer from the first developer carrying member and a second discharging operation for discharging developer from each of the first and second developer carrying members. When the apparatus executes only the first mode, the control device performs more image formations, in a period between completion of the second discharging operation and start of the first discharging operation, compared to a period between completion of the first discharging operation and start of a subsequent first discharging operation.

2010-08-05

20100196031

SMART DEVELOPER CYCLE UP - This invention provides supplying a model that will together with software and a controller, separately selectively cycle up (activate) or cycle down (inactivate) color stations in accordance with their need for a particular imaging run. The cycled down stations are not activated for the imaging run thereby preserving the quality of the developer and toner in that inactivated color station or housing. The model will vary, depending on the machine or desired images. Each model can later be used for machines of the same family.

2010-08-05

20100196032

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that carries a developed image that has been developed on a surface thereof using a developer; a transfer member that transfers the developed image from the image carrier to a belt-shaped member; an electric power supply unit that supplies electric power to the transfer member; a measurement unit that measures a combined resistance value of the image carrier, the belt-shaped member, and the transfer member; and a controller that controls the electric power supply unit. The controller controls the electric power supply unit such that the electric power supplied to the transfer member is changed from a predetermined first supply value to a second supply value, the second supply value being larger than the first supply value, when the combined resistance value measured by the measurement unit is lower than a predetermined combined resistance value.

2010-08-05

20100196033

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electric charge elimination needle for eliminating an electric charge of an intermediate transfer belt is disposed on the side more downstream than an opposite sheet metal which restricts an electric potential on the belt, in a direction of rotation of the intermediate transfer belt, thereby preventing a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt carried with tension by a plurality of tension rollers, from disorder when the intermediate transfer belt contacts and is detached from the tension roller.

2010-08-05

20100196034

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING NIP WIDTH BASED ON A SCANNED NIP PRINT IN AN IMAGE PRODUCTION DEVICE - A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting nip width based on a scanned nip print in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include automatically inserting a sheet of media into a fuser nip in the image production device upon receiving a signal from a user interface, the fuser nip being an intersection of the fuser roll and the pressure roll, generating a nip print in the fuser nip, the nip print being an image created from the pressure between the fuser roll and the pressure roll, scanning the nip print, determining if a nip width adjustment is required based on the scanned nip print, the nip width being the distance of an arc length created by an intersection of the fuser roll and the pressure roll, and if it is determined that a nip width adjustment is required based on the scanned nip print, adjusting the nip width.

2010-08-05

20100196035

CONTROL APPARATUS, PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - When glossiness in an area designated by a user was adjusted, the glossiness adjustment was achieved by exchanging a plurality of toners having different glass transition points. Thus, the user was required to select an appropriate toner when the glossiness in the area designated by the user was adjusted. Further, the user took some time or effort to set the selected toner every glossiness adjustment. In the present invention, how to adjust the glossiness in the area designated by the user is obtained as mode information and on the basis of the obtained mode, control is effected so that a transparent image is selectively formed in the area designated by the user or an image formable area except for the area designated by the user.

2010-08-05

20100196036

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit configured to transfer a toner image to a sheet, a fixing unit configured to fix the toner image transferred to the sheet on the sheet, a conveyance unit disposed between the transfer unit and the fixing unit to convey the sheet, a moving unit configured to move the conveyance unit, and a control unit configured to controls the moving unit to move the conveyance unit so that a speed of a leading edge of the sheet conveyed from the transfer unit to the fixing unit is reduced, when the leading edge of the sheet reaches the fixing unit.

2010-08-05

20100196037

Image Forming Device - An image forming device has a heating member, a thermal detecting unit, and a control unit. The heating member is positioned at an ambient temperature and heated by a heat source. The heating member fixes a developed image to a recording sheet. The thermal detecting unit is provided separately from the heating member. The thermal detecting unit detects a first temperature. The control unit uses a function to calculate a second temperature of the heating member on the basis of the detected first temperature. The control unit controls the heat source on the basis of the second temperature. The function has a rate of change that increases with decreasing the ambient temperature.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device configured to form a toner image on a sheet; an image heating device disposed contacted with the toner image on the sheet and configured to heat the toner image on the sheet; a heating device configured to heat the image heating device; a detecting device configured to detect a temperature of the image heating device; a controlling device configured to control the heating device so that the temperature of the image heating device is maintained at a target temperature based on an output of the detecting device; a selecting device configured to select one of plurality of modes including a first mode in which the images are continuously formed on a plurality of thin sheets, a second mode in which the images are continuously formed on a plurality of thick sheets and a third mode in which the images are continuously formed on a plurality of sheets including the thin sheet and the thick sheet; a setting device configured to set the target temperature based on the selected mode, wherein the target temperature in the second mode is higher than the target temperature in the first mode, and the target temperature in the third mode is higher than the target temperature in the second mode.

2010-08-05

20100196040

Image forming device - An image forming device having an detachable image forming unit that has an image carrier and an opening that exposes a part of the surface of the image carrier includes a determination unit that determines a cleaning time for the image carrier; and a rotation control unit that rotates the image carrier by a rotation unit that is less than or equal to a width of the opening, during the cleaning time.

2010-08-05

20100196041

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The invention has an object to provide an image forming apparatus in which size information of a document image is used, and various printings can be performed on a sheet in manual feed copy without mistake. The image forming apparatus includes an image reading section including an auto document feeding section, a manual feed tray section, a document width detection sensor to detect, as a document width, a length of a document stacked on the auto document feeding section in a direction orthogonal to a document conveyance direction, a sheet width detection sensor to detect, as a sheet width, a length of a sheet stacked on the manual feed tray in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveyance direction, a print pattern memory to store, correspondingly to sheets of various sizes, print patterns in which the whole area of a document image can be printed according to a document size, a control section which receives sheet width detection information from the sheet width detection sensor and document width detection information from the document width detection sensor as input information, selects one or plural print patterns corresponding to the input information from the print pattern memory, displays the selected print patterns on a monitor, and displays document size patterns and print patterns for the sheet, and a print pattern selection section by which a user selects, from one or plural print pattern images displayed on the monitor, one pattern in which a document image is printed on a sheet stacked on the manual feed tray.

2010-08-05

20100196042

PRINTING CONTROL APPARATUS, PRINTING CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A printing control apparatus that causes printing by a printing unit having a fixing unit that fixes a recording agent on a sheet, the printing control apparatus including: a printing control unit configured to cause the printing unit to stop printing of a currently printing job, and print another job in a state that printing of the job has been stopped; and a determining unit configured to determine whether or not to permit execution of the other job in a state that the currently printing job has been stopped by the printing control unit, based on a fixing unit temperature necessary for printing of the currently printing job and a fixing unit temperature necessary for execution of the other job.

2010-08-05

20100196043

Power Supply Circuit Identification Device for Identifying a Type of a Power Supply Circuit and Image Forming Apparatus - A power supply circuit identification device for identifying a type of a power supply circuit, the power supply circuit having an input terminal to which a control signal for controlling electrical power supplied to an electrical load is input and an output terminal from which a detection signal that indicates whether the electrical power corresponding to the control signal is supplied to the electrical load is output, at least one of the input terminal and output terminal being plurally provided and having a type-dependent correlation between the input and output terminals. The identification device includes: a control section configured to input the control signal to the power supply circuit via the input terminal; a reading section configured to read the detection signal from the output terminal; and an identification section configured to identify a type of the power supply circuit based on a reading result from the reading section.

2010-08-05

20100196044

SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An upper conveyance guide is provided at an apparatus main body. A guide surface of a lower conveyance guide is provided facing a guide surface of the upper conveyance guide, and can be drawn out in the direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction with respect to the apparatus main body. A cleaning unit is provided on the backside in the drawing-out direction of the lower conveyance guide, moves together with the lower conveyance guide when the lower conveyance guide is drawn out from the apparatus main body, and cleans the guide surface of the upper conveyance guide.

2010-08-05

20100196045

DEVELOPING APPARATUS - A developing apparatus includes a developer carrying member for carrying a developer containing magnetic particles and for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member; a magnetic member, provided in the developer carrying member, for magnetic confinement of the developer on a surface of the developer carrying member, wherein the magnetic member has a set of repelling poles including a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole which have the same magnetic polarity; and a magnetic seal provided opposed to the developer carrying member at a side remote from the image bearing member; wherein the magnetic seal includes a third magnetic pole and a fourth magnetic pole having a magnetic polarity opposite that of the first magnetic pole at a position opposed to the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole, respectively, and includes only one fifth magnetic pole having the same polarity as that of the first magnetic pole.

2010-08-05

20100196046

Image Forming Device Facilitating Replacement of Belt Unit - An image forming device includes, a main casing, a drawer unit, and a transfer unit. The main casing has a first frame formed with a first opening and a second frame formed with a second opening. The main casing has a first inner space in communication with the first opening and the second opening. The drawer unit is movable between a first position and a second position. The drawer unit is accommodated in the first inner space when the drawer unit is in the first position. The drawer unit is partially drawn out from the first inner space through the first opening when the drawer unit is in the second position. When the drawer unit is moved to the second position, a mounting space is formed for allowing the first transfer unit to be mounted in the second inner space.

2010-08-05

20100196047

Driving-Transmitter and Process Cartridge - A driving-force transmitter and a process cartridge. The process cartridge has a photosensitive drum and the driving-force transmitter mounted on the end of the photosensitive drum. The driving-force transmitter having a fitting part and multiple protrusions protruding from an end surface of the fitting part. The multiple protrusions are distributed equiangularly on a circle which is in the end surface of the fitting part. The center of the circle is on the axis of the fitting part. There is an engaging-part on the farthest end of each protrusion from the axis of the fitting part. An anti-separating groove is provided on the engaging-part.

2010-08-05

20100196048

Image Forming Apparatus, Image Forming Cartridge Supporter, and Image Forming Unit - An image forming apparatus has a body frame and a slide frame. The slide frame is configured to be pulled out from the body frame along a sliding direction. A plurality of image forming cartridges is detachably mounted on the slide frame. A plurality of electrode members is mounted on the slide frame and aligned along the sliding direction so as to correspond to the image forming cartridges. A body-side contact portion of each of the electrode members electrically connected to the body frame. A cartridge-side contact portion of the electrode member electrically connected to the image forming cartridge. The image forming cartridge is connected to the body via the corresponding electrode member when the slide frame mounting the image forming cartridges is inserted to the body frame.

2010-08-05

20100196049

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member for bearing a latent electrostatic image including a substrate, an intermediate layer containing a metal oxide, a photosensitive layer including a charge transport layer and a charge generating layer containing an organic charge generating material, an image forming device for forming the latent electrostatic image on the image bearing member, a developing device for developing the latent electrostatic image with a toner to form a visualized image, a transfer device for transferring the visualized image to a recording medium, a fixing device for fixing the transferred image on the recording medium; and a discharging device including a light source that provides light having a wavelength shorter than 500 nm for optically discharging the image bearing member to remove remaining charges thereon by irradiating the image bearing member with light having a wavelength shorter than 500 nm which is absorbed by the metal oxide in the intermediate layer.

2010-08-05

20100196050

ELECTRON EMITTING ELEMENT, ELECTRON EMITTING DEVICE, LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE, IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, COOLING DEVICE, AND CHARGING DEVICE - An electron emitting element of the present invention includes an electron acceleration layer provided between an electrode substrate and a thin-film electrode, which electron acceleration layer includes (a) conductive fine particles and (b) insulating fine particles having an average particle diameter greater than that of the conductive fine particles. The electron emitting element satisfies the following relational expression: 0.3x+3.9≦y≦75, where x (nm) is an average particle diameter of the insulating fine particles, and y (nm) is a thickness of the thin-film electrode

2010-08-05

20100196051

CHARGING DEVICE - A charging device includes: a to-be-charged member; a charging member that charges the to-be-charged member and is opposed to the to-be-charged member; a cover member that surrounds the charging member disposed inside of the cover member but has an opening at a site opposed to the to-be-charged member; a grid electrode that is disposed on the opening side of the cover member with respect to the charging member, the grid electrode being provided between the cover member and the to-be-charged member; and a protective member that is provided along a longitudinal direction of the grid electrode, the protective member protecting an end part of the grid electrode and having at least one opening that is provided between the to-be-charged member and an end part of the cover member on the to-be-charged member side.

2010-08-05

20100196052

OPTICAL SCANNING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An optical scanning apparatus includes an optical deflector that deflects a light beam at a substantially constant angular velocity and an optical system that condenses the deflected light beam onto a to-be-scanned surface thereby performing optical scanning of the to-be-scanned surface. The to-be-scanned surface is a surface of a latent image carrier having a charge generation layer that generates carriers and a charge transport layer. A driving unit drives the optical deflector at a scanning frequency at which exposure is attained in a state where the carriers generated at the charge generation layer of the latent image carrier substantially stay still.

2010-08-05

20100196053

Exposure Head and Image Forming Apparatus - An exposure head includes first and second light-emitting element rows formed by disposing light-emitting elements in a first direction on a light-transmitting substrate. A first photosensor is disposed at a first side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on the light-transmitting substrate to receive light emitted from the light-emitting elements of the first and second light-emitting element rows. A second photosensor is disposed in the second direction at a second side opposite to the first side on the light-transmitting substrate to receive light emitted from the light-emitting elements of the first and second light-emitting element rows. An image-forming optical system forms an image with light emitted from the light-emitting elements.

2010-08-05

20100196054

IMAGE FORMING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - An image forming unit includes an image supporting member; a developer supporting member for attaching developer to a static latent image formed on the image supporting member to form a developer image; and a protective sheet disposed between the image supporting member and the developer supporting member when the image forming unit is stored. The protective sheet has a surface resistivity between 1.0×10

2010-08-05

20100196055

WET TYPE DEVELOPING APPARATUS - A wet type developing apparatus is disclosed which can eliminate the need to provide a separately built cleansing unit and, moreover, makes it unnecessary to dismount a developer supply unit for its cleansing operation and to perform its subsequent re-mounting operation.

2010-08-05

20100196056

DEVELOPING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND CLEANING METHOD FOR THE DEVELOPING DEVICE - A developing device includes a developer tank for housing a two-component developer containing toner and magnetic carrier; a first conveying portion having a first rotary shaft rotatable about its axis and a first screw blade which surrounds the first rotary shaft and rotates together with the first rotary shaft and contains a ferromagnetic substance; a second conveying portion having a second rotary shaft rotatable about its axis and a second screw blade which surrounds the second rotary shaft and rotates together with the second rotary shaft and contains a ferromagnetic substance; a first electromagnet for magnetizing the first screw blade; and a second electromagnet for magnetizing the second screw blade.

2010-08-05

20100196057

DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A developing device includes a developing vessel for storing a developer, a first conveying passage, a second conveying passage, a first conveying member, a second conveying member and a developing roller for supplying toner to a photoreceptor drum. The first conveying member has a first rotary shaft and a first conveying blade formed on the periphery of the first rotary shaft. The first conveying blade has a large-diametric ring-shaped helical blade and a small-diametric helical blade, forming a double-helical structure. Alternatively, the first conveying blade is formed of helical blades being different in phase; each helical blade is formed so that the radius varies on a cycle of the rotational angle of 180 degrees.

2010-08-05

20100196058

DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - In a developing device including a developing vessel for storing a developer, a first conveying passage, a second conveying passage, a first conveying member, a second conveying member and a developing roller, the first conveying member has a first rotary shaft and a first conveying blade formed on the periphery of the first rotary shaft, the first conveying blade has a first inner helical blade formed on the periphery of the first rotary shaft and a first outer helical blade arranged along the axis of the first rotary shaft and radially outside the outer periphery of the first inner helical blade, and the helical pitch of the first outer helical blade is specified to be shorter than the helical pitch of the first inner helical blade.

2010-08-05

20100196059

TONER SUPPLY APPARATUS - A toner supply apparatus is installed detachably in an image forming apparatus. The toner supply apparatus includes a container body which accommodates toner, and an agitating member which is disposed inside the container body and is driven to rotate so as to agitate toner. The agitating member includes a drive member which is driven to rotate and a film member which is fixed on the drive member, and the film member covers the periphery of the drive member in a tubular fashion.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus and an image forming method are disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt that carries an image, a transfer roller that transfers the image carried on the transfer belt to a transfer material, a transfer material transporting unit that sucks a second surface, which is opposite to a first surface that is transferred the image, of the transfer material by air, and transports the transfer material along a transport surface, and a fixing unit that fixes the transfer material transported by the transfer material transporting unit.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet using a first colorant to be heat-fixed on the sheet; a second image forming unit configured to form an image on the sheet using a second colorant that is erasable by heating; and a fixing device arranged further on a downstream side in a sheet conveying direction than the first image forming unit and further on an upstream side in the sheet conveying direction than the second image forming unit and capable of executing fixing processing for heat-fixing the image, which is formed on the sheet by the first image forming unit, on the sheet and executing erasing processing for heating the sheet, on which the image is formed with the second colorant, to erasing temperature to thereby erase the second colorant on the sheet.

2010-08-05

20100196064

APPARATUSES USEFUL FOR PRINTING AND METHODS OF STRIPPING MEDIA FROM SURFACES IN APPARATUSES USEFUL FOR PRINTING - Apparatuses useful for printing and methods for stripping media from surfaces in apparatuses useful for printing are disclosed. An apparatus useful for printing comprising a first member including a first outer surface; a second member including a second outer surface; a belt including an inner surface and an outer surface; a first nip formed by contact between the inner surface of the belt and the second outer surface and contact between the outer surface of the belt and the first outer surface; and a stripping mechanism comprising a stripping member disposed internal to the belt. The stripping member is positionable relative to the first nip to vary a pressure applied by the outer surface of the belt against the first outer surface downstream from the first nip. The media are stripped from the outer surface of the belt after exiting from the first nip.

2010-08-05

20100196065

ENDLESS BELT, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The endless belt is provided with: a metal layer that includes at least one layer, that is cylindrically formed, and that has not more than 10 degrees as a half width of a diffraction peak in X-ray diffraction; and a release layer that is stacked on the metal layer.

2010-08-05

20100196066

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The fixing device is provided with: a fixing member that includes a metal layer; a pressure member that forms a pressure portion between the pressure member and the fixing member, and that is driven to rotate; an electromagnetic induction heating member that causes the metal layer of the fixing member to generate heat; and a heater that is disposed so as to face the electromagnetic induction heating member through the fixing member and so as to be in contact with an inner side of the fixing member, and that is caused to generate heat by a magnetic field. A heat transfer lubricant is provided between the fixing member and the heater disposed on the inner side of the fixing member.

2010-08-05

20100196067

IMAGE-DRIVABLE FLASH LAMP - A flash lamp including an integrated plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a transparent first electrode; a cell including a gas coupled to the transparent first electrode; and a second electrode having a non-uniform surface coupled to the cell.

2010-08-05

20100196068

IMAGE FORMING MACHINE BLADE ENGAGEMENT APPARATUS WITH BLADE CASSETTE - A blade engagement system for cleaning and/or metering a release agent onto an image forming machine moving surface, such as a photoreceptor. The blade engagement system includes a blade cassette having a plurality of blades, each including a compliant blade member having a blade tip. The blade engagement system also including a blade engagement apparatus removably receiving the blade cassette. The blade engagement apparatus having a blade positioning mechanism moving the blades, one at a time, from the blade cassette to a working position wherein the blade tip engages the moving surface for cleaning and/or metering. Used blades can be moved back into the cassette for storage. The blade cassette can be replaced with a new one after all of the blades have been used.

2010-08-05

20100196069

MULTI-COLOR PRINTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGH TONER PILE HEIGHT PRINTING - Methods are presented in which one or more pages of a print job are segmented into two or more parts, with the first part being transferred and affixed to the printed medium prior to transferring and affixing the second part, in order to facilitate high TMA (pile height) printing while mitigating adverse retransfer, blur, fusing, and hollow character effects.

2010-08-05

20100196070

METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR MEDIA REGISTRATION SETUP USING A DEVELOPED IMAGE PATCH - A method, apparatus and system for media registration setup, includes depositing developed image toner patch on a photoreceptor surface, such that the developed image patch overlaps two image panels on the photoreceptor surface. Performing toner image transfer on a media sheet in contact with the photoreceptor by applying electrostatic field to cause toner particles to migrate from the photoreceptor surface to the media. Following toner image transfer, the level of residual toner on the photoreceptor surfaces measured by sensors to determine alignment of a written lead edge and a target lead edge, the written lead edge corresponding to the lead edge of the media. The measurements are used to adjust the media registration setup such that the written lead edge corresponds to a given target lead edge.

2010-08-05

20100196071

METHOD OF CONTROLLING AUTOMATIC ELECTROSTATIC MEDIA SHEET PRINTING - The present disclosure describes a method of automatically controlling feeding and transporting print media sheets through plural electrostatic print engines having seamed photoreceptor belts for duplex printing. In one embodiment the second photoreceptor belt is driven at a variable speed to maintain a constant phase relationship between the respective seams of the belts. The print image magnification on the front side of the printed sheet is matched by varying the speed of the scanner (ROS) in the second engine. In another embodiment. the first and second photoreceptor belts are both driven at a constant speed and the seam phase allowed to float. Sensors provide a timing signal upon passage of the seam in each belt respectively; and, the position of the belt seams thus determined. The system then calculates a release time for each sheet from the feeder to insure the sheet avoids the seam on both belts.